JP2022509941A - Portable oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a system and method for maintaining oxygen purity in a portable oxygen concentrator, even with the generation of oxygen enriched gas volume asymmetry from different sheave beds of the enrichment system. The system and method use asymmetric purge volume delivery to compensate for asymmetric oxygen concentrate generation. A purge valve is used to deliver an asymmetrical purge gas volume, allowing the system to maintain oxygen purity without additional power consumption, even if the portable oxygen concentrator does not contain a product tank. ing. The system and method are configured to be able to monitor asymmetry in the generation of concentrated oxygen and to apply asymmetric purge gas compensation independently of other control mechanisms of the portable oxygen concentrator. ..

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application claims priority under US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 768,171 filed on November 16, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to methods and portable systems for concentrating oxygen.

Oxygen therapy is known. Oxygen therapy benefits the patient by increasing the supply of oxygen to the patient's lungs, thereby increasing the availability of oxygen to the patient's body tissues. Oxygen therapy systems include portable "on-demand" oxygen therapy systems. Commercial solutions such as oxygen concentrators have been developed for on-demand oxygen evolution. These oxygen concentrators use, for example, the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technique described in Patent Document 1. The PSA process performed by an on-demand portable oxygen concentrator can cause asymmetric gas generation between sheave beds (eg, one sheave bed produces more concentrated oxygen than the other sheave bed). In many cases, this can reduce the purity of the oxygen gas produced by the system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,384

It was determined whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds was different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds, and further, the sheave beds. It is advantageous to achieve a portable oxygen enrichment system configured to determine different purge volumes of gas for the sheave bed based on the different volumes of enriched gas produced by.

Accordingly, one or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to a portable oxygen concentrator system. The system includes a pair of sheaves, a pressure generator, one or more sensors, a valve, one or more processors, and / or other components. The pressure generator is configured to generate a pressurized gas guided through a sheave bed. The sheave bed outputs a concentrated gas for delivery to the subject in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process. The PSA process alternates concentrated gas generation and purge cycles for each of the sheave beds so that if one of the sheave beds alternates through the enriched gas generation cycle, the other sheave bed alternates through the purge cycle. Including what to do. One or more sensors are configured to generate an output signal that conveys information about the subject's respiration. The valve is configured to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process.

Based on the output signal, one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to force the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycles of the PSA process. Based on the output signal, one or more processors allow the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds, thereby combining the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. It is configured to determine if the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the sheave bed is different from that of the other sheave bed. One or more in response to the determination that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. The processor determines a different purge volume of gas for the sheave bed based on the different volume of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, and further determines a valve based on the different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed. Is configured to control the purge cycle of the PSA process.

In some embodiments, one or more processors have the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed for delivery to the subject. It is configured to maintain the target purity of the concentrated gas. In some embodiments, one or more processors may allow the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed during the purge cycle of the PSA process. Is configured to include having the valve regulate the purge time or the flow rate of the purge gas.

In some embodiments, one or more processors are produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds to allow a valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on an output signal. Determining whether the volume of concentrated gas is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in one sheave bed is to determine whether the concentrated gas delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. Count the number of bolus and compare the counts from each sheave bed to each other, or integrate the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time for the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. It is configured to include determining the total bolus volume delivered from each sheave bed and comparing the total bolus volume from each sheave bed to each other.

In some embodiments, having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed can result in an increased volume of concentrated gas for the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or both of the pair of sheave beds to output receive an increased volume of concentrated gas relative to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. One or more processors are configured to include increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of the purge gas for the sheave bed.

In some embodiments, in one or more processors, the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is the volume of enriched gas produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. Is further configured to determine if an amount different from and exceeds the volume difference threshold. To determine that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave in a pair of sheaves differs from the volume of enriched gas produced by the other sheave in a pair of sheaves exceeds the volume difference threshold. In response, one or more processors determine different purge volumes of gas for the sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, and different gas determined for the sheave bed. Based on the purge volume, the valve is configured to control the purge cycle of the PSA process.

In some embodiments, the system does not include a product tank configured to store concentrated gas from the sheave bed.

It was determined whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds was different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds, and further, the sheave bed. It is advantageous to achieve a method of determining different purge volumes of gas for a sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by.

Accordingly, another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method by which a portable oxygen concentrator system concentrates oxygen. The system includes a pair of sheaves, a pressure generator, one or more sensors, one or more valves, one or more processors, and / or other components. The method comprises the step of generating a pressurized gas in which the pressure generator is guided through a sheave bed. The method comprises the step of outputting a concentrated gas for delivery to a subject in a pressure swing adsorption process (PSA). The PSA process alternates concentrated gas generation and purge cycles for each of the sheave beds so that if one of the sheave beds alternates through the enriched gas generation cycle, the other sheave bed alternates through the purge cycle. Including what to do. The method comprises the step of one or more sensors generating an output signal that conveys information about the subject's respiration. The method comprises a step in which the valve controls the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process. The method comprises the step of having one or more processors control the flow of gas in and out of a pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process based on the output signal. In this method, one or more processors allow the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal of the concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds. It comprises a step of determining whether the volume is different from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. The method responds to the determination that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. A step in which one or more processors determine different purge volumes of gas for the sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, and one or more processors for the sheave bed. Including a step of having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of the gas determined in the above.

In some embodiments, the method causes the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed by one or more processors to the subject. It further comprises the step of maintaining the target purity of the concentrated gas for delivery. In some embodiments, the step of causing the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed is to allow the valve to purge time or during the purge cycle of the PSA process. Includes adjusting the flow rate of purge gas.

In some embodiments, having the valve control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal is a pair of volumes of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. The step of determining whether the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the sheave bed is different is to count the number of concentrated gas bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. It is delivered from each sheave bed by comparing the counts from each sheave bed with each other or by integrating the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time for the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. It involves determining the total bolus volume and comparing the total bolus volumes from each sheave bed to each other.

In some embodiments, the step of having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed is to add an increased volume of concentrated gas to the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or both of the pair of sheave beds to output receive an increased volume of concentrated gas relative to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. Includes increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of purge gas to the sheave bed.

In some embodiments, the method involves one or more processors in which the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. The step of determining whether an amount different from the volume of the concentrated gas exceeds the volume difference threshold, and the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is the other in the pair of sheave beds. In response to determining that an amount different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed exceeds the volume difference threshold, one or more processors will receive based on the different volume of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed. A step of determining a different purge volume of gas for the bed, and a step of having one or more processors control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed. In addition to the above and other purposes, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, the function of the combination of operating methods and related structural elements and parts also eliminates manufacturing waste, with reference to the accompanying drawings below. It becomes clearer by considering the description and the scope of the attached patent claims, all of the accompanying drawings form part of this specification, and similar reference numbers indicate the corresponding parts in the various figures. There is. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and are not intended to define the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a first schematic diagram of a portable system for concentrating oxygen according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 2 is a second schematic of a portable system for concentrating oxygen according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 3 is a third schematic of a portable system for concentrating oxygen according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 4 is a fourth schematic of a portable system for concentrating oxygen according to one or more embodiments. It is a diagram illustrating the recorded purity measurements over time for a typical system at a typical bolus delivery rate according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a simulation of the number of bolus delivered per sheave bed per cycle under asymmetric loading conditions with one or more embodiments. It is a figure which illustrates the asymmetric load of two sheave beds by one or more embodiments. It is a figure which illustrates the pressure trace to the bolus from two sheaves according to one or more embodiments. It is a figure which illustrates the sheave bed purge time and the average _O2 product purity by one or more embodiments, such as the operation of this system. It is a figure which illustrates the method which the portable oxygen concentrator system concentrates oxygen by one or more implementations.

As used herein, a singular indefinite or definite article includes its plural unless its content explicitly indicates something else. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are "connected" means that the parts are joined together or directly or indirectly, ie, as long as concatenation occurs. It means working together through one or more intermediate parts or components. As used herein, "directly linked" means that the two elements are in direct contact with each other. As used herein, "fixed and concatenated" or "fixed" is concatenated so that the two components move as one while maintaining a constant orientation with respect to each other. Means to be done.

As used herein, the word "unitary" means that the components are made as single pieces or units. That is, a component that includes components that are manufactured separately and then connected together as a unit is not a "single structure" component or a "single structure" body. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components "engage / engage" with each other means that the parts either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. It means exerting force on it. As used herein, the term "number" means one or more integers (ie, plural).

Directional clauses, such as, without limitation, up, down, left, right, up, down, front, back, and derivatives thereof, are the elements shown in the drawings as used herein. The scope of claims is not limited unless it is clearly stated.

1A-1D are schematic views of a portable system 10 for concentrating oxygen according to one or more embodiments. The system 10 includes a pair of sheave beds 12 and 14, a pressure generator 16, one or more sensors 20, one or more valves 22, one or more physical computer processors 24, and / or other components. In general, oxygen may be purified from air in an oxygen concentrator by a process called pressure swing adsorption (PSA). Sheave beds 12 and 14 include two tubes (and / or other structures) filled with a molecular sheave material (eg, zeolite and / or other material, etc.). This material is configured to preferentially adsorb nitrogen over oxygen or argon. Using this property, by removing most of the nitrogen molecules from the gas stream, an oxygen and / or argon concentrate product gas stream is produced when the pressurized air flows through one of the molecular sieve beds. be able to. A single molecular sheave tube (eg, sheave bed 12 or 14, etc.) has a finite nitrogen adsorption capacity at any fixed pressure and temperature before reaching the nitrogen adsorption equilibrium, and when that adsorption capacity is reached. , Nitrogen may begin to break through the oxygen outlet of the sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 12, etc.). Immediately before reaching this point, the system 10 switches oxygen production to a second sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 14), the first sheave bed 12 drains its pressure, is purged with purge gas, and the ambient conditions. Is configured to regenerate to equilibrium. This process continues back and forth between the two sheave beds 12 and 14 to supply subject 18 with a stream of concentrated oxygen gas when oxygen is requested by subject 18.

Generally, the PSA cycle comprises 5 steps. These steps include pressurization, oxygen generation, balancing, blowdown (exhaust), and purging. The following is a description of these steps starting with pressurization of the sheave bed 12.

Pressurization: The pressure generator 16 sends a pressurized gas (eg, air, etc.) through the open supply valve 28A shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C (or the three-way shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D). Supply to the sheave bed 12 (via the combined supply / exhaust valve 28 / 29A) to increase the pressure in the sheave bed 12, resulting in (eg) nitrogen being adsorbed from the gas stream and purified from the sheave bed 12. Outputs oxygen flow.

The pressure generator 16 is configured to generate pressurized gas for delivery to the sheave beds 12 and 14. The pressure generator 16 receives a gas flow from a gas source such as an ambient atmosphere and raises the pressure of the gas in order to deliver it to the sheave beds 12 and 14. The pressure generator 16 is any device having the ability to increase the pressure of the received gas, such as a compressor, pump, blower, piston, or bellows. The pressure generator 16 may include, for example, one or more valves for controlling the pressure and / or flow of the gas. The present disclosure also considers controlling the operating speed of the blower alone or in combination with such valves to control the pressure and / or flow rate of the gas provided to the sheave beds 12 and 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the valves 22 are check valves 23A and 23B, supply valves 28A and 28B, and exhaust valves 29A and 29B (eg, exemplified in FIGS. 1A and 1C). Three-way combination supply / exhaust valves 28 / 29A and 28 / 29B (eg, shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D), purge valves 30A and 30B (eg, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D), and / or , Including other valves. The valve 22 is configured to selectively control the flow through the system 10. The valve 22 may be closed so as to be substantially impervious to gas, may be closed in a particular direction, or may be opened (or partially open) to allow gas flow. May be). In some embodiments, the valve 22 may include one or more of a plug valve, a ball valve, a check valve, a butterfly valve, a solenoid, a pneumatic pilot operated valve, and / or another valve. The valve 22 is electronically (eg, by the processor 24) via an electric motor, any combination of the above control mechanisms, and / or another control mode configured to open and / or close the valve. , It can be controlled hydraulically and pneumatically.

Increased pressure in the sheave bed 12 (eg, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, but not shown in FIGS. 1C or 1D) from the (arbitrary) product tank 15 and / or sheave bed 12. When the pressure of oxygen gas stored in other downstream system components is exceeded, the check valve 23A opens. The exhaust valve 29A (or the exhaust direction of the supply / exhaust valves 28 / 29A shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D) used to expel gas pressure from the sheave bed 12 is closed and shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C. The supply valve 28B (or the three-way combination supply / exhaust valve 28 / 29B shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D) is closed and the check valve 23B is closed (eg, by the sheave bed 14 with low pressure). In addition, the exhaust valve 29B (or the exhaust direction of the supply / exhaust valves 28 / 29B shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D) used to expel air pressure from the sheave bed 14 is opened.

Oxygen generation: The pressure generator 16 continues to supply gas (eg, air, etc.) to the sheave bed 12, which produces (arbitrarily) concentrated (eg, oxygen) gas via the open check valve 23A. Push it into the object tank 15. In some embodiments, the product tank 15 is a gas storage tank used as a pressure buffer to contribute to providing a relatively stable concentrated oxygen gas source for delivery to subject 18. However, as described below, the product tank 15 is only an arbitrary part of the system 10, and the control mechanisms described below reduce or eliminate the need for the product tank 15. The oxygen generation step ends before the nitrogen gas breaks through and flows into the product tank 15 to reduce the purity of the stored oxygen that will be supplied to the patient.

Balance: At the end of the oxygen generation step, the sheave bed 12 is pressurized close to its maximum cycle pressure and the sheave bed 14 is close to atmospheric pressure. Released the pressurized gas in the sheave bed 12 to the atmosphere can be a waste of energy as the system 10 may need to pressurize the ambient air more than necessary in the next step. To regain some of this energy, the exhaust valves 29B (FIGS. 1A and 1C) are closed (or the three-way combination valves 28/29 (FIGS. 1B and 1D) are properly positioned), the purge valves 30A and / Alternatively, 30B (FIGS. 1B and 1D) is briefly opened at the oxygen outlets of the sheave beds 12 and 14 to equalize the pressure between the two beds. In this way, less energy is needed to pressurize the new air in the sheave bed 14. During the balance step, the supply of gas (eg, air, etc.) from the pressure generator 16 flows through the supply valve 28A (or 3-way valve 28 / 29A), thus the supply valve 28B (or 3-way valve). It is switched to flow through 28 / 29B). In some embodiments, there may be additional balance valves located parallel to the rows of the two purge valves 30A and 30B. This valve is opened only during the balance step and serves to provide more gas flow than the two purge valves 30A and 30B rows allow.

Blowdown: Exhaust valve 29A (FIG. 1A) to release the remaining pressurized gas from the sheave bed 12 to the atmosphere and allow the sheave material of the sheave bed 12 to desorb excess nitrogen in the sheave bed 12. And 1C) are opened (or a three-way valve 28 / 29A (FIGS. 1B and 1D) is arranged to exhaust the gas to the atmosphere).

Purge: If the pressure in one sheave bed (12 or 14) is lower than the pressure in the other sheave bed (12 or 14), the oxygen concentrate flow will be purged from the oxygen outlet of the higher pressure bed. It flows through the orifice 17 and the purge valve 30A or 30B into the oxygen outlet of the lower pressure bed and is expelled from the bed to purge excess nitrogen gas into the atmosphere. Continuing with this example, the sheave bed 12 is purged with concentrated oxygen flowing from the sheave bed 14. The purge step is used to clean the sheave bed 12 with excess nitrogen that will be re-adsorbed and reduce the air separation capacity of the next cycle. The purge step can also be considered as an aspect in which additional oxygen product gas is stored in the sheave bed 12 to be purged.

The two sheave beds function in tandem, one bed on the pressurizing and / or oxygen producing side of the cycle and the other bed on the blowdown and / or purging side of the cycle. During the next half cycle, the two beds switch steps to continue producing concentrated (eg, oxygen) gas. In some embodiments, the check valve 23A is used to allow the sheave bed whenever the pressure in the sheave bed 12 exceeds the pressure in the product tank 15 or in the system 10 downstream of the sheave bed 12. Concentrated gas generated from 12 may be allowed to flow into the product tank 15 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) or simply downstream of the sheave bed 12 (FIGS. 1C and 1D). In some embodiments, the check valve 23B is used to allow the sheave bed whenever the pressure in the sheave bed 14 exceeds the pressure in the product tank 15 or in the system 10 downstream of the sheave bed 14. Concentrated gas generated from 14 may be allowed to flow into the product tank 15 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) or simply downstream of the sheave bed 14 (FIGS. 1C and 1D).

In some embodiments, the system 10 may include a patient delivery valve 31. In a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), the patient delivery valve 31 is a direct acting solenoid valve and / or patient to deliver a specific pulsed bolus volume of concentrated gas at the beginning of each breath of subject 18. It may be another valve controlled by a breath detection circuit (eg, sensor 20 and processor 24 described below).

In summary, an oxygen concentrator system 10 with active purge valves 30A and 30B is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. The system 10 may include separate supply and exhaust valves (FIGS. 1A and 1C) or combined three-way valves (FIGS. 1B and 1D) on the supply side of the two sheave beds 12 and 14. Oxygen is supplied from the product side of the sheave beds 12 and 14 into any oxygen tank 15 via the check valves 23A and 23B. The oxygen tank 15 (if present) can return oxygen to the sheave bed 12 or 14, respectively, via the purge orifice 17 and the purge valve 30A or 30B. At the end of each half cycle, the pressure difference between the sheave beds 12 and 14 opens both purge valves 30A and 30B simultaneously and / or any balance valve as described herein. That and / or both three-way air side process valves (28 / 29A and 28 / 29B in FIGS. 1B & 1D) may be equalized by simultaneously switching to the air supply position.

In some embodiments, the system 10 includes switchable (“active”) purge valves 30A and 30B in series with a stationary purge orifice 17 connecting the sheave beds 12 and 14. This is because this arrangement facilitates adaptation of the purge volume to the product output flow rate and / or other range of operation.

For example, in order to save energy, size, and mass, a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) system, such as System 10, does not inhale oxygen delivered during the expiratory phase of subject 18, and is therefore wasted. Therefore, it is not necessary to deliver a continuous flow of oxygen to the subject 18. Instead, a POC such as system 10 uses a sensor (eg, sensor 20 described below) to detect the start of the inspiratory phase of subject 18, and then a defined gas (eg, eg). , Oxygen) pulse volume (“bolus”) delivered to subject 18. The bolus is delivered when the patient inhales, rather than at a specific time predetermined by the system 10.

The above-mentioned on-demand bolus delivery often results in asymmetric load conditions. Asymmetric loading conditions occur when the oxygen volumes VA and VB delivered by the sheave beds 12 and 14 per unit time are not equal. If asymmetric loading conditions continue and no countermeasures (eg, the countermeasures described herein) are taken, the gas (eg, oxygen) purity in the bolus, which is usually delivered to subject 18, is (significantly). )descend. The decrease in gas purity is caused by the breakthrough of nitrogen in the sheave bed 12 or 14 where one delivered a larger volume of gas to subject 18.

As an example, it is assumed that the cycle time of the system 10 is t _cyc = 9s (having a half cycle time of 4.5 s) and the subject 18 is breathing at a constant breathing rate of BR = 20 breaths / minute. .. In this example, the system 10 must deliver 3 bolus per cycle of BR * tcyc. This means that two boluses are delivered by the sheave bed 12 in one half cycle (eg) and one bolus is delivered by the sheave bed 14 in the other half cycle. Without corrective action, these exemplary conditions result in a nitrogen breakthrough in the sheave bed 12, resulting in a decrease in (eg) oxygen purity of the gas delivered to subject 18 within minutes (eg). For example, it is likely to bring about 90% → <83%).

FIG. 2 shows a typical system at (BR * t _cyc =) 3.03 bolus / cycle bolus delivery rate (eg, slightly faster than the 3 bolus / cycle rate in the hypothetical example above). Illustrates a measured value 204 of recorded purity 201 over time 203. The system used to generate the information shown in FIG. 2 was (eg, a breath rate of 20 breaths / minute, a motor speed of 2325 RPM, a supply time of 4.55 seconds, a balance time of 0.4 seconds). It was a portable oxygen concentrator arranged as described above (using a purge orifice with a purge time of 2.75 seconds and a diameter of 0.02 inches). As shown in FIG. 2, the oxygen purity 201 delivered by such a system oscillates over a half cycle 206 of only a few minutes (without the corrective action described herein) (204). ..

This purity vibration is such that both sheave beds (12 and 14 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D) have a certain number of cycles (eg, 16.5 cycles for bed 12) under the conditions of the above example. It occurs over time as it alternates as a sheave bed that delivers more oxygen during (16.5 cycles, etc.) for the bed 14. This is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 illustrates a simulation of the number of bolus delivered per sheave bed per cycle under asymmetric loading conditions. The conditions used for the asymmetric load condition in FIG. 3 have already been discussed with respect to FIG. 2: BR * t _cycl = 3.03 pulses / cycle. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheave bed 12 and the sheave bed 14 are replaced as sheave beds that produce more bolus 300 over time 302. This is indicated by lines representing sheave beds 12 and 14 alternating between 2 bolus / bed per cycle and 1 bolus / bed per cycle at conflicting times 302. The theoretical repetition period 304 in this example is 4.95 minutes.

In some embodiments (eg, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B), the system 10 may include a product tank 15 to counteract this effect. However, inclusion of the product tank 15 can increase the size and mass of the system 10. In some embodiments, the system 10 delivers a known critical cycle time value (eg, BR * t _cyc = 1, 3, 5, ...) That causes one sheave bed to deliver more bolus than the other sheave bed. The system 10 may be configured to diminish this effect by adapting the cycle time t _cyc at least a few percent away from (..). For these critical cycle time values, the number of bolus per bed per cycle is 1/0, 2/1, 3/2. .. .. Is. However, there may be more asymmetric points than the small numbers characterized by odd numbers. This is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 illustrates the asymmetric load of the sheave bed 12 and the sheave bed 14. FIG. 4 illustrates (as a percentage) the relative excess or deficiency of oxygen per cycle 400 as the number of bolus (BR * t _cyc ) 402 increases. As shown in FIG. 4, the asymmetric points 404 are more than just those in the odd bolus 406. As an example, the asymmetric point 404 shown corresponds to BR * t _cycl = 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5. They have a number of bolus per bed per cycle of 1 / 0.5 (ie, the second bed provides bolus only for the second cycle), 1.5 / 1, 2 respectively. The situation is /1.5 and 2.5 / 2.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-1D, instead of including the product tank 15 or adapting the cycle time to be at least a few percent away from known critical values (and / or in addition), the system 10 is actively purged. The valves 30A and 30B may be configured to compensate for asymmetric load conditions with asymmetric purge volumes. For example, the system 10 has a sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 12 or 14) that has delivered an excess gas (eg, oxygen) volume during its production half cycle, with a corresponding excess volume of oxygen during its purge phase. Is configured to receive. In this way, the location of the mass transfer zone in that particular sheave bed is stabilized, and even in the extreme case where one sheave bed delivers all (oxygen) bolus, asymmetric load conditions (eg BR). Even with * t _cyc = 1), the position of the mass transfer zone remains symmetrical with respect to both sheave beds.

The system 10 is configured to control the purity (eg, oxygen) in situations that normally cause variation in purity on a minute scale. As mentioned above, the system 10 facilitates compensation for the asymmetric product volume from the sheave beds 12 and 14 by delivering a continuous asymmetric purge volume from one sheave bed to the other sheave bed. Includes active (switchable) purge valves 30A and 30B configured in (eg, the above-mentioned electrically operated solenoid valves and / or other valves, etc.). Advantageously, this results in stable oxygen purity delivered by system 10 without the need for additional power or product tanks. Asymmetric purge gas volume control may be applicable in many and / or all load conditions (eg, even if subject 18 breathes completely irregularly). Asymmetric purge gas volume control includes other control algorithms and system parameters including conventional sensor signals (eg, sheave bed pressure curve, product O ₂ content) and system parameters (eg, half cycle time, equivalization time, compressor RPM, etc.) ) May be applied independently. In fact, the system 10 can perform the operations described herein as a first step before the conventional control algorithm is applied. In this way, conventional control algorithms often compensate for the decrease in oxygen product purity on a minute scale by increasing the compressor RPM (eg, requiring an increase in the corresponding device input power). Therefore, the efficiency of POC operation is improved.

Returning to the components of the system 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the sensor 20 is configured to generate one or more output signals that convey information about the subject 18's respiration. In some embodiments, the information about the subject 18's respiration may be one or more gas parameters of the gas in the system 10, the subject 18's respiration parameters, and / or other information. They may be included. In some embodiments, the system 10 is configured to sense the onset of inspiration based on a pressure drop in the cannula line providing gas to subject 18.

The sensor 20 may include one or more sensors that directly and / or indirectly generate an output signal that conveys information about the subject 18's respiration. For example, one or more sensors 20 may directly base the flow of gas caused by the subject 18's breathing to the subject 18's heart rate (eg, the sensor 20 may be located on the subject 18's chest and / or. Or a heart rate sensor configured as a wrist bracelet of subject 18 and / or located on another limb of subject 18 and / or may include it), movement of subject 18 (eg, may include). , Sensor 20 may include a bracelet around the wrist and / or ankle of subject 18 with an accelerometer so that breathing can be analyzed using actigraphic signals), and / or subject 18. The output signal can be indirectly generated based on other features. Although the sensor 20 is exemplified in a single position in the flow path of the system 10 in close proximity to the subject 18, this is not intended to be limiting. The sensor 20 is located at a plurality of positions, such as, for example, in a cannula that delivers gas to the subject 12, a mask worn by the subject 18 or in (or communicates with) another interface device, the subject 18. Subject 18 worn by subject 18 as a headband, wristband, etc. (removably coupled) to the garment of the subject (eg, a camera transmitting an output signal relating to the movement of the subject 18's chest). It may include sensors located to point to 18 and / or elsewhere.

The processor 24 is configured to provide information processing capability in the system 10. As such, the processor 24 is a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and / or electronic information. It may include one or more of the other mechanisms for processing. The processor 24 is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D as a single entity, but this is for illustration purposes only. In some embodiments, the processor 24 may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device (eg, a portable oxygen concentrator system, etc.), or the processor 24 may represent the processing function of a plurality of devices operating in concert. .. In some embodiments, the processor 24 may be a computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, tablet computer, server, and / or other computing device associated with the system 10 and / or them. May be included in. Such a computing device can execute one or more electronic applications having a graphical user interface configured to facilitate user interaction with the system 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the processor 24 is configured to execute one or more computer program components. Computer program components may include, for example, software programs and / or algorithms embedded in and / or otherwise coded in the processor 24. The one or more computer program components may include one or more of the control component 40, the asymmetric component 42, the tuning component 44, and / or other components. The processor 24 is composed of components 40, 42, and / or a combination of software, hardware, firmware, software, hardware, and / or firmware, and / or other mechanisms for configuring processing power on the processor 24. / Or 44 may be configured to perform.

Although components 40, 42, and 44 are exemplified in FIGS. 1A-1D as being co-located within a single processing unit, in embodiments where the processor 24 comprises a plurality of processing units, the component 40 It should be correctly understood that one or more of the, 42, and / or 44 may be located away from other components. Since any of the components 40, 42, and / or 44 can provide more or less functionality than described, the functionality provided by the different components 40, 42, and / or 44 described below. The description of is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, one or more of the components 40, 42, and / or 44 can be excluded, and some or all of its functionality can be provided by the other components 40, 42, and / or 44. As another example, the processor 24 is configured to perform one or more additional components capable of performing some or all of the functions belonging to one of the components 40, 42, and / or 44. You may.

The control component 40 is configured to control the flow of gas in and out of the sheave beds 12 and 14 during the enriched gas generation and purge cycles of the PSA process. The control component 40 enters and exits the valve 22 and the sheave beds 12 and 14 during the enriched gas generation and purge cycles of the PSA process, based on output signals and / or other information from one or more sensors 20. It is configured to control the flow of gas. In some embodiments, the control component 40 is configured to control the flow of gas based on one or more of the above respiratory parameters indicating the initiation of inspiration or other respiratory effort in subject 18. For example, the control component 40 can control one or more valves 22 to ensure that the concentrated oxygen is supplied to the subject 18 on demand. Continuing with this example, the control component 40 is configured to allow the purge valves 30A and 30B to control the flow of gas in and out of the sheaves 12 and 14 during the purge cycle of the corresponding PSA process. May be good.

In the asymmetric component 42, the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 12 etc.) in the pair of sheave beds is increased by the other sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 14 etc.) in the pair of sheave beds. It is configured to determine if it differs from the volume of concentrated gas produced. The asymmetric component 42 causes the valve 22 to control the flow of gas in and out of the sheave beds 12 and 14 based on the output signal, which is generated by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds (eg, sheave bed 12 and the like). It is configured to determine whether the volume of the concentrated gas is different from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed (eg, sheave bed 14 or the like) in the pair of sheave beds.

In some embodiments, the valve 22 controls the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds 12 and 14 based on the output signal of the concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds. Determining whether the volume is different from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is (1) of the concentrated gas delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. Count the number of bolus and compare the counts from each sheave bed with each other, or (2) integrate the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time for the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. Then, the total bolus volume delivered from each sheave bed is determined, and (3) the total bolus volume from each sheave bed is compared with each other. In some embodiments, the asymmetric component 42 determines the gas (eg, oxygen) product volumes VA and VB supplied by each sheave bed (12 and 14) in one PSA cycle and further determines the difference ΔV. = VA-VB is configured to be determined.

To further elaborate on the above paragraph, if the control component 40 controls the other components of the system 10 to keep the bolus volume (VP) constant, the asymmetric component 42 will have one PSA cycle (NA, In NB), the number of bolus delivered by each sheave bed 12 and 14 is counted and configured to multiply the number of bolus from each side by the corresponding bolus volume (option (1) in the above paragraph). ): VA = NA * VP, VB = NB * VP, whereby ΔV = VA-VB = (NA-NB) * VP is obtained. If the delivered bolus volume is not constant (of option (2) in the above paragraph), the asymmetric component 42 integrates the gas (eg, O ₂ ) product flow in one bolus over the bolus delivery time. (ΦP (t)), configured to obtain individual bolus volumes (VP _i ), which are summed over one PSA cycle to obtain VA and VB, respectively. The term ΦP (t) is determined, for example, on the basis of a measured value (Δp (t)) of the pressure difference over a known (eg, O ₂ ) path resistance. This is because, for example, the product, because the experimental fit of the dependence of ΦP (t) on Δp (t) yielded that ΦP (t) is proportional to Δp (t) ^ 0.537. It may be a delivery valve 31.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric component 42 is such that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds 12 and 14 is produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds 12 and 14. It is configured to determine whether an amount different from the volume of the concentrated gas exceeds the volume difference threshold. The volume difference threshold may be determined by the asymmetric component 42, based on information from previous therapy sessions for subject 18 or a demographically similar user to subject 18, and may be determined at the time of manufacture of system 10. It may also be input and / or selected by the subject 18 and / or other users via the user interface of the system 10 and / or may be determined in other ways.

The adjustment component 44 has different volumes of enriched gas produced by the sheaves 12 and 14 due to the asymmetric component 42 (eg, enrichment produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds (eg, sheave bed 12 etc.)). In response to the determination that the volume of gas differs beyond the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds (eg, sheave bed 14 etc.), or by a threshold amount. It is configured to determine different purge volumes of gas for different sheave beds 12 and 14. This involves determining different purge volumes of gas for sheave beds 12 and 14 based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by sheave beds 12 and 14.

For example, the adjustment component 44 has an _O2 purge volume (VpA) received by the bed 12 and an O received by the bed 14 for the next PSA cycle such that VpA-VpB = (VA-VB) / 2. ₂ It may be configured to determine the adjustment for the purge volume (VpB). In this way, the net delivery amount of O ₂ (nVA = VA-VpA + VpB and nVB = VB-VpB + VpA) is the same (or nearly identical) (eg, both equal to 1/2 * (VA + VB)). The conditions within the sheave beds 12 and 14 can remain as symmetrical as possible. It can be recognized that the net delivery amount of _O2 (eg, nVA, etc.) consists of three terms: the product VA delivered, the purge received from B-VpA, and the purge delivered to B + VpB. is important. For example, omitting the third term would result in double purge compensation that is too high.

The control component 40 is configured such that the purge cycle of the PSA process is controlled for the sheave beds 12 and 14 based on the different purge volumes determined by the adjustment component 44. In some embodiments, the control component 40 causes the valve 22 (eg, purge valves 30A and 30B, etc.) to adjust the purge time or flow rate of the purge gas during the purge cycle of the PSA process to the sheave bed 12 and. Based on the different purge volumes of gas determined for 14, the valve 22 is configured to control the purge cycle of the PSA process.

In some embodiments, having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed can result in an increased volume of concentrated gas for the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or both of the pair of sheave beds to output receive an increased volume of concentrated gas relative to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. Includes increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of purge gas to the sheave bed.

For example, in some embodiments, the control component 40 is one by increasing VpA by + (VA-VB) / 2 or by decreasing VpB by − (VA-VB) / 2. It is configured to adjust the purge volume of the sheave bed only. Advantageously, this single purge adjustment compensation includes adjustment of only one parameter (eg, the purge volume of one sheave bed). In some embodiments, the control component 40 is configured for dual purge adjustment compensation. In these embodiments, the control component 40 may increase VpA by + (VA-VB) / 4 and at the same time decrease VpB by − (VA-VB) / 4. The dual purge adjustment compensation includes adjustment of at least two parameters (eg, purge volumes of both sheave beds 12 and 14), but the required change magnitude ((VA-VB) / 4) is. It has the advantage of being half the magnitude of the change ((VA-VB) / 2) required for single purge adjustment compensation. Advantageously, with dual purge adjustment compensation, a wider range of asymmetries can be corrected within a given range of other control parameter values.

The purge volume (Vp) is the product of the purge flow rate (Φp) and the purge time (Δtp) so that Vp = Φp * tp. As mentioned above, the control component 40 adjusts the purge flow rate (Φp) or purge time (tp) (or both) for one or both sheave beds 12 and 14 during the purge cycle of the PSA process. For example, by increasing or decreasing), the purge volume (VpA and / or VpB) can be adjusted. As a non-limiting example, the control component 40 uses a proportional valve to turn the purge flow on and off by switching the parallel path for the gas (eg, O ₂ ) purge flow on and off, and / Alternatively, the purge flow rate (Φp) can be adjusted by another operation. As another non-limiting example, the control component 40 controls active (switchable) purge valves 30A and 30B (eg, electrically operated solenoid valves, etc.) for purge time (eg, valve open time, etc.). ), TpA, and tpB can be adjusted to achieve the desired adjustment of VpA and VpB.

In some embodiments, the control component 40 causes the valve 22 to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of gas determined for the sheave beds 12 and 14, and deliver to subject 18. It is configured to maintain the target purity of the concentrated gas for. The target purity may be determined by the control component 40 based on information from the subject 18 or a user who is demographically similar to the subject 18 from a previous therapy session, or may be determined at the time of manufacture of the system 10. , And / or may be input and / or selected by subject 18 and / or other users via the user interface of the system 10, and / or may be determined in other ways.

Example It is assumed that the system 10 operates with an O ₂ product output setting of Φp = 0.5slpm. The cycle time of POC is t _cyc = 9s (half cycle time t _hcyc = 4.5 s), and the subject 18 is breathing at a constant respiration rate of BR = 20 respirations / minute. This means that the load condition (as described above) is asymmetric with respect to the sheave bed. By counting the number of bolus per cycle and per bed, it becomes clear that the bed 12 produces 2 bolus and the bed 14 produces only 1 bolus per cycle. FIG. 5 illustrates traces 501 and 503 of pressure 507 vs. time 509 against the bolus from the sheave bed 12 and the bolus from the sheave bed 14, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, each bolus is subjected to sinking 500 (two sinks corresponding to two bolus) or 502 (one sink corresponding to one bolus) in the pressure trace to the bolus from each bed. It is reflected.

In this example, the target _O2 output per cycle per bed is Vt = Φp * _thcyc = 37.5smL (smL = standard mL). The bolus volume is VP = Φp / BR = 25smL. Therefore, the actual (oxygen) product volume per cycle is VA = 2 * VP = 50smL and VB = 1 * VP = 25smL. Next, the asymmetry of the O ₂ product is ΔV = VA-VB = + 25smL. In this asymmetric load condition (and symmetric purge time tpA = tpB = 2.75s), the sheave bed 12 loses Vt-VA = -12.5smL of _O2 during each cycle. , Can result in N ₂ breakthrough and inadequate O ₂ product purity (≈83% in this example) in the sheave bed 12.

To compensate for this load asymmetry, in this example, system 10 (control component 40 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D) uses dual purge adjustment compensation and purges through the purge orifice (above). The purge times tpA and tpB are adjusted based on the determination of the flow Φp. In this example, the purge flow may be described as a flow through an effective orifice, which is empirically described by the formula Φp = _Φ0 * _0.0641 * ((pound-plow) / psig) ^. According to _0.537 * (plow / psig + 14.5) ^ 0.49. Here, p _low = the pressure at the "lower end" of the orifice, _high = the pressure at the "upper end" of the orifice, and Φ0 = the orifice constant [slpm]. The orifice constant Φ0 is proportional to the square of the orifice diameter d so that Φ0 [slpm] = 10397 * (d [in]) ² . For an orifice diameter d = 0.020 inch, _Φ0 orientation = 4.16 slpm. Considering that the purge valve and other tubes in series with this orifice slightly reduce the purge flow, a good estimate for an "effective" purge orifice may be Φ0≈4.0 slpm. From the pressure trace (FIG. 5), the control component 40 determines the price as the average of the "_{high" sheave pressure during the purge time as high ≈} 10.83 psig and the "low" sheave during the purge time. The flow as the average of the pressures can be determined as _plow ≈ 1.25 _psig . Finally, the purge flow Φp becomes Φp = _Φ0 * _0.0641 * ((pound-plow) / psig) ^ 0.537 * (plow / psig + 14.5) ^ 0.49 = _3.33slpm . .. Therefore, the theoretical asymmetry of the purge time should be Δtp = (ΔV / 2) /Φp=12.5smL/3.33slpm=0.225s.

FIG. 6 shows an average _O2 product purity of 600 and a sheave bed purge for the above example (eg, where the system 10 asymmetrically delivers two boluses from the sheave bed 12 and one bolus from the sheave bed 14). The time tpA602 and tpB604 are exemplified. As shown in FIG. 6, the purge times are symmetrical (tpA = tpB = 2.75s) and the product, while the gas was delivered to subject 18 (FIGS. 1A-1D) for the first 15 minutes. The purity is low (83.3%). The purge volume (in this example, time) is then adjusted as described herein to compensate for the asymmetric bolus delivery from different sheave beds (tpA = 2.9s, tpB = 2). .6s, which gives Δtp = tpA-tpB = 0.30s). This results in an increase in (oxygen) product purity (up to 90.2%) within the next 3 minutes. But then the product purity is reduced again by about 1%, which means that the purge volume adjustment (eg, purge time adjustment in this example) is too great to overcompensate for load asymmetry. It shows that the sheave bed 14 is in a state of net O ₂ loss. Finally, FIG. 6 sets tpA = 2.87s and tpA = 2.63s, thereby giving Δtp = tpA-tpB = 0.24s to reduce the previous purge compensation. Illustrates the second corrective adjustment. This value is very close to the theoretical value of 0.225s (see above), so that the product purity rises again and stabilizes at about 89.6%.

Note that after the second adjustment, the product purity did not reach the maximum of 90.2% observed during the previous change in purge time. This indicates that the optimal setting for the purge time is (smaller) one step further in the same direction. In this way, the system 10 (FIGS. 1A-1D) has (eg) a purge time to find the optimal setting for the purge time because the theoretical values are merely estimates and not accurate values. You can make small adjustments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 in which a portable oxygen concentrator system concentrates oxygen. The system includes a pair of sheaves, a pressure generator, one or more sensors, one or more valves, one or more physical computer processors, and / or other components. One or more physical computer processors are configured to execute computer program components. Computer program components include control components, asymmetric components, tuning components, and / or other components. The behavior of Method 700 shown below is intended to be exemplary. In some embodiments, method 700 may be accomplished with one or more additional actions not described and / or without one or more of the actions discussed. In addition, the operation of method 700 is illustrated in FIG. 7, and the order described below is not intended to be limited.

In some embodiments, the method 700 is one or more processing devices (eg, a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, etc.). It may be implemented in a state machine and / or other mechanism for processing information electronically, etc.). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices that perform some or all of the operations of the method 700 in response to instructions electronically stored on the electronic storage medium. One or more processing devices include one or more devices configured via hardware, firmware, and / or software that will be specifically designed for the execution of one or more of the operations of Method 700. It may be included.

In operation 702, pressurized gas is generated and guided through the sheave bed. In some embodiments, operation 702 is performed by the same or similar pressure generator 16 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein).

In operation 704, the concentrated gas is discharged from the sheave bed for delivery to the subject in a pressure swing adsorption process (PSA). The PSA process alternates concentrated gas generation and purge cycles for each of the sheave beds so that if one of the sheave beds alternates through the enriched gas generation cycle, the other sheave bed alternates through the purge cycle. Including what to do. In some embodiments, operation 704 is performed by the same or similar sheave beds 12 and 14 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein).

In motion 706, an output signal is generated that conveys information about the subject's respiration. In some embodiments, operation 706 is performed by one or more sensors that are the same as or similar to sensor 20 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein).

In operation 708, the flow of gas in and out of the sheave bed is controlled during the enriched gas generation and purge cycles of the PSA process. Operation 708 comprises having the valve control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process based on the output signal. In some embodiments, operation 708 is performed by the same or similar valve and processor components as valve 22 and control component 40 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein). In some embodiments, the valve comprises two or more supply valves and two or more purge valves, and in operation 708, the two or more purge valves have a pair of sheaves during the purge cycle of the PSA process. Includes controlling the flow of gas in and out of the bed.

In operation 710, it is determined whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. .. Operation 710 allows the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal, thereby reducing the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds to the pair of sheave beds. Includes determining whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in is different. In some embodiments, having the valve control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal is a pair of volumes of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. Determining whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in one of the sheave beds is different from (1) the number of concentrated gas bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. Count and compare the counts from each sheave bed to each other, or (2) integrate the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time with respect to the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject. It involves determining the total bolus volume delivered from the sheave beds and (3) comparing the total bolus volumes from each sheave bed to each other. In some embodiments, operation 710 is performed by the same or similar processor component as the asymmetric component 42 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein).

In operation 712, the volume of concentrated gas produced by the sheave beds is different (eg, the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. In response to the decision (which is different from the volume of concentrated gas), a different purge volume of gas was determined for the sheave bed, and the purge cycle of the PSA process was determined for the sheave bed. It is controlled based on volume. This involves determining a different purge volume of gas for the sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, and based on different purge volumes of gas determined for the sheave bed. , Includes having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process. In some embodiments, operation 712 causes the valve to control the purging cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed to deliver the concentrated gas for delivery to the subject. Includes maintaining target purity. In some embodiments, having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed allows the valve to purge time or during the purge cycle of the PSA process. Includes adjusting the flow rate of purge gas. In some embodiments, having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of gas determined for the sheave bed can result in an increased volume of concentrated gas for the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or both of the pair of sheave beds to output receive an increased volume of concentrated gas relative to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. Includes increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of purge gas to the sheave bed. In some embodiments, operation 712 is performed by the same or similar processor components as the asymmetric component 42 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described herein) and the control component 40.

In some embodiments, operations 710 and 712 are such that (1) the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds is the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in a pair of sheave beds. Determining if an amount different from the volume of the sheave exceeds the volume difference threshold, and the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. In response to determining that an amount different from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed exceeds the volume difference threshold, (2) based on the different volume of the concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, the gas relative to the sheave bed. It involves determining different purge volumes and (3) having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of gas determined for the sheave bed.

Within the claims, any reference number in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The word "comprising" or "inclating" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in the claims. In the claims of the device enumerating several means, some of these means can be realized by one and the same hardware item. If an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, the existence of the plural form of the noun is not excluded. In any device claim that enumerates several means, some of these means can be implemented by one and the same hardware item. The mere fact that certain elements are described in different dependent terms does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.

Although the description provided above provides details for purposes of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, such details are solely for that purpose. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the expressly disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover the amendments and equivalent configurations within the scope and intent of the accompanying claims. For example, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates that, wherever possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims (15)

A portable oxygen concentrator system
A pair of sheave beds and
A pressure generator configured to generate pressurized gas guided through the sheave bed, which outputs concentrated gas for delivery to the subject in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process. The PSA process concentrates gas generation and purge cycle for each of the sheave beds so that if one of the sheave beds alternates through the concentrate gas generation cycle, the other sheave bed alternates through the purge cycle. With a pressure generator, including alternating
One or more sensors configured to generate an output signal that conveys information about the subject's respiration.
A valve configured to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the concentrated gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process.
One or more processors
Based on the output signal, the valve is allowed to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the concentrated gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process.
By having the valve control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal, the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds is measured by the pair of sheaves. Determined if it was different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the bed,
In response to the determination that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds.
Based on the different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, different purge volumes of gas for the sheave bed are determined, and further.
Having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of the gas determined for the sheave bed.
With one or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions,
System including. The one or more processors have the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of the gas determined for the sheave bed and said for delivery to the subject. The system of claim 1, further configured to maintain the target purity of the concentrated gas. The one or more processors may allow the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of the gas determined for the sheave bed during the purge cycle of the PSA process. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve is configured to include adjusting the purge time or the flow rate of the purge gas. The one or more processors
By having the valve control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds based on the output signal, the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds is measured by the pair of sheaves. Determining whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the bed is different can be determined.
Count the number of concentrated gas bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject and compare the counts from each sheave bed with each other, or
For the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject, the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time is integrated to determine the total bolus volume delivered from each sheave bed, said from each sheave bed. Comparing the total bolus volumes with each other,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to include. Having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed will output an increased volume of concentrated gas for the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or one of the sheave beds so that one of the pair of sheave beds receives an increased volume of concentrated gas with respect to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of the purge gas for both sheave beds. The system of claim 1, wherein the product tank is configured to store the concentrated gas from the sheave bed. The valves include two or more supply valves and two or more purge valves, which are the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the purge cycle of the PSA process. The system according to claim 1. The one or more processors
Whether the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds differs from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds exceeds the volume difference threshold. Decide if
It is determined that the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds differs from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds exceeds the volume difference threshold. In response to that
Based on the different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed, different purge volumes of gas for the sheave bed are determined, and further.
Having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volumes of the gas determined for the sheave bed.
The system according to claim 1, further configured as such. A portable oxygen concentrator is a method of concentrating oxygen, wherein the system comprises a pair of sheaves, a pressure generator, one or more sensors, one or more valves, and one or more processors. teeth,
A step in which the pressure generator generates a pressurized gas guided through the sheave bed.
The sheave bed is a step of outputting a concentrated gas for delivery to a subject from a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process, in which one of the sheave beds goes through a concentrated gas generation cycle. A step comprising alternating concentrated gas generation and purge cycles for each of the sheave beds such that the other sheave beds alternate in the case of alternation.
A step in which the one or more sensors generate an output signal that conveys information about the subject's respiration.
A step in which the valve controls the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the concentrated gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process.
A step of causing the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds during the enriched gas generation and purge cycle of the PSA process based on the output signal by the one or more processors.
The step of causing the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds by the one or more processors based on the output signal is a concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds. And the step of determining whether the volume of the concentrated gas in the pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed.
In response to the determination that the volume of concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds is different from the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds.
A step in which the one or more processors determine a different purge volume of gas for the sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed.
A step of having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed by the one or more processors.
How to include. The one or more processors cause the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed and said for delivery to the subject. 9. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of maintaining the target purity of the concentrated gas. The step of causing the valve to control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed is to allow the valve to purge time or purge gas during the purge cycle of the PSA process. 9. The method of claim 9, comprising adjusting the flow rate of the. Based on the output signal, the step of causing the valve to control the flow of gas in and out of the pair of sheave beds is the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one of the sheave beds in the pair of sheave beds. The step of determining whether the volume of concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the bed is different is
Count the number of concentrated gas bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject and compare the counts from each sheave bed with each other, or
For the bolus delivered from each sheave bed to the subject, the flow rate of the concentrated gas bolus over time is integrated to determine the total bolus volume delivered from each sheave bed, said from each sheave bed. Comparing the total bolus volumes with each other,
9. The method of claim 9. The step of having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on the different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed is to output an increased volume of concentrated gas for the other sheave bed. During the purge cycle of the PSA process, one or one of the sheave beds so that one of the pair of sheave beds receives an increased volume of concentrated gas with respect to the other sheave bed during the purge cycle. 9. The method of claim 9, comprising increasing or decreasing the purge time or the flow rate of the purge gas for both sheave beds. The valve comprises two or more supply valves and two or more purge valves, the method in which the two or more purge valves enter and exit the pair of sheave beds during the purge cycle of the PSA process. 9. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling the flow of the gas. In the one or more processors, the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds differs from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds. , Steps to determine if the volume difference threshold is exceeded, and
It is determined that the volume of the concentrated gas produced by one sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds differs from the volume of the concentrated gas produced by the other sheave bed in the pair of sheave beds exceeds the volume difference threshold. In response to that
A step in which the one or more processors determine a different purge volume of gas for the sheave bed based on different volumes of concentrated gas produced by the sheave bed.
A step of having the valve control the purge cycle of the PSA process based on a different purge volume of the gas determined for the sheave bed by the one or more processors.
9. The method of claim 9.

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